April 27, 2026

Key Reminders: Foreign Involvement, Support or Interest

The NIH, as well as other federal sponsors, have policies related to Foreign Components, Current and Pending (Other) Support, and Financial Conflicts of Interest.

We urge you to review the following reminders.

Foreign Components

Active NIH award? Foreign components require prior approval

Significant work in a foreign location qualifies as a foreign component, whether or not NIH funds are expended. Foreign components of an NIH project require prior approval. Review more details and instructions from the UW on NIH: Does work outside of the U.S. require prior approval?

New NIH applications and international components

As of April 2026, there is one Parent NOFO that supports International Collaborations: PA-26-002 – NIH Collaborative International Research Project (Parent PF5 Clinical Trial Optional). Review more information on NIH Projects with International Components: What are they? How do I submit a proposal?

PA-26-002 should not be used for foreign consultants, purchasing unique equipment or supplies from foreign vendors, foreign collaborations that do not involve NIH funding, or any other foreign component that would not result in a foreign subaward.

Other Federal Sponsors

Check requirements for adding a foreign component or collaborator at the proposal stage by reviewing the specific agency’s grant policy guidelines, such as the NSF – Information for Proposals with International Collaborators.

Keep Common Forms Up to Date

As a reminder, the Common Forms are templates that federal agencies have been adopting for both Biographical Sketch and Current and Pending (Other) Support documents.

Keep Current and Pending (Other) Support up to date and complete, including an account of all sources of research support. This includes support received from domestic or international sources, and can take the form of in-kind support.

Confirm sponsor requirements for disclosure and review the UW’s guidance on Current and Pending (Other) Support.

Maintain current Biosketch information. Always include both domestic and foreign professional appointments and positions outside the primary organization (UW).

Note, the Common Forms for the Biosketch include a personal certification that the certifier is not a party to a malign foreign talent recruitment program. NSF Biosketch requirements include an example.

Disclose all Significant Financial Interests (SFI)

Each Investigator must disclose all significant financial interests. This includes income received from:

  • seminars,
  • lectures,
  • teaching engagements,
  • service on advisory committees or review panels,
  • reimbursed or sponsored travel, as well as,
  • any foreign entity, foreign institutions of higher education, and foreign governments (including local, provincial, or equivalent governments of another country).

The University of Washington maintains a Financial Conflict of Interest Policy.